File photo

 

Another shopping center will be constructed in downtown Bangkok on the site where the famous Scala cinema stood for 50 years.

 

The cinema lowered the curtain for the last time a couple of years ago after it operated in the Pathumwan area since 1969.

 

Many Bangkok residents of a certain age have a story to tell about taking their dates to watch movies at the Scala.

 

Now Thai business media has reported that Central Pattana group has acquired the rights to the land from Chulalongkorn University and along with a 79 unit 3/4 story business premises adjacent to the cinema will renovate the area making a shopping street along the lines of a small community mall.

 

They hope to appeal to students and employees, said online business sources. 

 

Construction will begin next year and take just over 12 months before opening in 2023.

 

The area is between Phayathai and Rama 1 near the Pathumwan crossroads opposite Siam Discovery. 

 

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Another shopping centre, just what Bangkok needs.

10 minutes ago, Whale said:

Another shopping centre, just what Bangkok needs.

Especially in that area...already loaded with Siam Center, Paragon, etc etc

46 minutes ago, Whale said:

Another shopping center, just what Bangkok needs.

Come come now, when my wife is stressed and need a relief and i'm not up to the job she goes shopping, so i say we need MORE shopping centers...

A shopping street if done right, could be a nice alternative to over abundance or sterile malls, especially if they try to keep/enhance the current character.

At least they don't appear to be knocking everything down *fingers crossed*

Aha.. one more place with free aircon..

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Another shopping center will be constructed in downtown Bangkok on the site where the famous Scala cinema stood for 50 years.

Such vision.

Excellent news. Shopping venues you can't have enough of really. That mangy old cinema was already dead anyway.

 

 

Great cities, great nations, and important cultures are built on the basis of the arts, support for the arts, music, dance, theatre, nightlife, and other forms of culture. Not shopping. More malls are the last thing in the world Thailand or Bangkok needs. Plenty already.

 

If wisdom prevailed, they would institute a mall moratorium. Enough already. Did I just say wisdom? What on earth was I thinking?

All these shopping malls and only one Nana....just doesn't seem right to me.

 

6 hours ago, Whale said:

Another shopping centre, just what Bangkok needs.

Indeed. Don't ever let it be said that Thais lack creativity.

7 hours ago, Whale said:

Another shopping centre, just what Bangkok needs.

Exactly, city planning at it's worst, will just lead to worst traffic and pollution. How about more parks. 

57 minutes ago, kennw said:

Exactly, city planning at it's worst, will just lead to worst traffic and pollution. How about more parks. 

"They hope to appeal to students "   - anything to avoid real study - mall needs less sunscreen than park......

Years ago I used to have the Peking duck at the Scala Restaurant. Excellent.

In another year or two, EmSphere will open at soi 22 Suk. Then GIANT Bangkok Mall out on Bang Na Trad road is due to be born. Isn't Sukhumvit traffic flow going to be great! Good luck trying to get on the BTS in rush hour, too, or walking across Suk at intersections. It was bad enough already, pre-pandemic. Or maybe this will all make the Chinese feel right at home. 

Ah, same-same but...same. What a lovely venue the old Scala was. RIP.

Sad news, always loved that old cinema, another part of old Bangkok disappearing 

I seem to recall this being announced about 10 years ago. Many people were upset about the closing and sale. I hope the Uni maintains a financial interest.

17 hours ago, kennw said:

Exactly, city planning at it's worst, will just lead to worst traffic and pollution. How about more parks. 

There is no money in parks. And parks require a governmental body that is actually concerned with quality of life for the masses, and conscious enough to plan for that. Never been the case with Cha Cha, nor any of the local leaders in Bangkok. 

19 hours ago, kennw said:

Exactly, city planning at it's worst, will just lead to worst traffic and pollution. How about more parks. 

Yes, brilliant! Thailand, a land of shopkeepers, as Napoléon would have said.